Lithuanian defence technology startup PDKINEMATICS has raised €2 million in seed funding to scale its precision-guidance systems for unmanned aerial vehicles. The round was co-led by Coinvest Capital and Iron Wolf Capital, with participation from defence-focused angel investors and deep-tech founders. The investment brings the company’s total funding to €3 million and supports its ambition to become a key supplier to Europe’s growing defence drone ecosystem.
Building Precision for the UAV Battlefield
PDKINEMATICS is developing guidance systems designed to improve the accuracy of drone-deployed munitions without requiring manufacturers to build entirely new drone platforms. Its flagship product, Gannet, is a compact guidance system that can be integrated with standard UAV munitions and used across different drone platforms. The company positions itself as a technology supplier to UAV manufacturers, defence integrators, and military organisations rather than a direct competitor to drone platform builders.
The startup’s approach comes as European defence technology investment continues to accelerate, driven by the operational lessons of the war in Ukraine and rising demand for battlefield-tested systems. While major drone companies are focusing on full autonomous platforms, airframes, and artificial intelligence, PDKINEMATICS is targeting the guidance layer that determines whether deployed munitions can accurately reach their targets. This focus reflects a broader shift in defence procurement toward modular, scalable technologies that can be integrated quickly into existing military supply chains.
Gannet Targets a Critical Accuracy Gap
Gannet is designed to allow UAV operators to deploy guided munitions from higher altitudes while maintaining accuracy and reducing exposure to counter-drone systems and small-arms fire. The system is described as platform-agnostic, resistant to electronic warfare conditions, and able to operate without reliance on satellite navigation. According to the company’s public materials, PDKINEMATICS builds guidance systems intended to function in GPS-denied environments, a major requirement for modern battlefields affected by jamming and electronic interference.
The need for such systems is particularly visible in Ukraine, where large volumes of drone-deployed munitions are used each month and many remain unguided. Unguided systems can force operators to fly lower to compensate for limited accuracy, increasing operational risk and reducing effectiveness. PDKINEMATICS aims to address this gap by delivering precision guidance in a form factor and cost structure suitable for high-volume UAV warfare.
Funding to Scale Deployment and Manufacturing
The new funding will be used to expand deployments across Europe and Ukraine, increase manufacturing capacity in the Baltics, and advance the company’s research and development pipeline. Areas of development include additional engineered components for UAV manufacturers, such as proximity fuse technology and counter-electronic warfare capabilities. The company also plans to strengthen its position within NATO-aligned defence supply chains as demand grows for interoperable and rapidly deployable drone technologies.
PDKINEMATICS has already gained early validation through testing and deployment activity connected to Ukraine, as well as selection for Lithuania’s Iron Wolf 2026 military exercises. That traction is important for an early-stage defence startup because military buyers increasingly want systems that have been tested in realistic operational conditions. For investors, the company’s ability to bridge battlefield feedback with European manufacturing capacity is central to its long-term market opportunity.
Investor and Market Context
Iron Wolf Capital said the investment reflects the growing importance of precision-guided systems in modern warfare and the need to connect Ukrainian battlefield innovation with Europe’s future defence infrastructure. Coinvest Capital has also highlighted the importance of building Baltic defence technologies with a clear path to NATO-scale deployment. Together, the investors are backing PDKINEMATICS as a specialist supplier in a market where precision, affordability, and integration speed are becoming decisive factors.
The company was co-founded by Rapolas Markevičius and Simonas Stasevičius, combining business and aerospace engineering experience, while Dominykas Rinkevičius later joined to lead product development. The team is building around the idea that older precision-guidance systems were designed for expensive missiles rather than the lower-cost UAV munitions now shaping modern conflict. That distinction gives PDKINEMATICS a defined niche as defence organisations seek systems that can be produced, adapted, and deployed at scale.
PDKINEMATICS’ €2 million seed round underscores the rising importance of specialised defence technologies within Europe’s startup ecosystem. By focusing on precision guidance rather than full drone platforms, the Lithuanian startup is addressing a specific but critical problem facing UAV manufacturers and military operators. With new capital, early operational validation, and backing from defence-focused investors, the company is positioning itself to support the next phase of NATO-aligned drone warfare infrastructure.